School Apologizes for Secret Study

Vanderbilt University formally apologized Monday to pregnant women who 50 years ago were given a radioactive tracer without their knowledge in an experiment on iron needs.

The apology was accompanied by federal Judge John Nixon’s approval of a $9.1-million settlement to be paid by the university to the women. A total of 450 women had filed claims in a class action. More than 800 were involved in the study, but many could not be found.

Vice Chancellor of University Relations Jeff Carr acknowledged that participants in the experiment were not told the details and were not tracked down for a follow-up study in the 1960s.

Emma Craft, one of the women in whose name the lawsuit was filed four years ago, said, “I forgive them. I am sure they will never do another experiment like that again.”